A role model is a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people. The term “role model” is credited to sociologist Robert K. Merton, who coined the phrase during his career. Merton hypothesized that individuals compare themselves with reference groups of people who occupy the social role to which the individual aspires.^[4] An example being the way fans (oftentimes youth) will idolize and imitate professional athletes or entertainment artists. In the second half of the twentieth century, U.S. advocates for workplace equity popularized the term and concept of role models as part of a larger capital lexicon—which also includes terms such as glass ceiling, networking, mentoring, and gatekeeper—serving to identify and address the problems barring non-dominant groups from professional success. Mainstream business literature subsequently adopted the terms and concepts, promoting them as pathways to success for all career climbers. In 1970 these terms were not in the general American vocabulary; by the mid-1990s they had become part of everyday speech. Although the term “role model” has been criticized more recently as “outdated”, the term and its associated responsibility remains prominent in the public consciousness as a commonly used phrase, and a “powerful presence” in the entertainment industry and media. Role Model University’s 21^st century definition of a role model is a person who sets an example to others, and possesses the qualities of Integrity, Clarity, Wellness, Wisdom, Passion for life and humanity and practices daily being a world class human being and a world class business professional. He or shares these attributes with those around them always.